An update on the latest Republican shtick and their asinine approach towards the environmental realities we're facing today. Good show as usual; I wonder who's in bed with who this time.
So then let's give John Kerry, our distinguished Senator from Massachusetts, the floor now...
Can you believe these guys? Sometimes it just boggles the mind how people can be staring a problem like our climate crisis in the face and keep on playing the same political games of the past. We have major proposals before the Senate to start the process of real change in our energy production and use in this country, and what amendment do the Republicans insist on bringing forward? Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
We'll fight that fight (again), but, amazingly, the Republicans' intransigence goes even deeper. Last night we tried to start to bring amendments to the floor to make the energy bill a true blueprint for a new future, and the Republicans simply refused to vote up or down on the first amendment, essentially demanding that any amendment have 60 votes to even be considered. The best science tells us we have 10 years to act on climate change, and they waste time with stubborn procedural roadblocks. And the Bush Administration tells Congress that it is strongly opposed to ANY numerical requirements on vehicle miles-per-gallon standards (CAFE standards).
But we have a Democratic leadership now, and we're fighting for change. In particular, I'm fighting for an energy plan that includes three things as the minimum to start to deal with our energy and climate crises:
• a major increase in the efficiency of all sources and uses of energy, from pickup trucks to fluorescent light bulbs, including raising the CAFE standard for cars and light trucks to 35 mpg by 2020
• dramatic incentives for all renewable energy sources, including the requirement that at least 20% of our energy come from renewable sources like wind and solar by 2020
• A comprehensive plan to get clean coal technologies and carbon sequestration off the drawing board and under construction
We can get a new direction, but there are many entrenched interests fight change. As I've learned since I worked as an activist on the first Earth Day, big environmental change only comes with the activism of the American people. So, if you want Congress to deal with this major issue, please call your Senator today and demand action on these priorities.
We're considering these amendments today, so pick up the phone and call immediately.
Thank you,
John Kerry
John Kerry For U.S. Senate
129 Portland Street, Boston, MA 02114-2014
www.johnkerry.com
Okay John, that's enough. So there you go. We'll obviously keep having further review on this issue as things develop. S
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2 comments:
Regarding CAFE standards, as initially proposed in S.1419 and H.R. 6, the standards were extremely unrealistic. While still very tough on the auto industry at 36MPG, the bipartisan Levin-Bond amendment protects consumer choice by maintaining the distinction between passenger cars and light trucks, and acknowledging the key attributes that separate these two types of vehicles. Light trucks must be available to farmers, tradesmen, small businesses and many other types of consumers who depend upon minivans, SUVs and pickup trucks to meet their needs.
There is no question that we have to do something about global warming and the environment and this legislation drives innovation by requiring production of diverse technologies including hybrids, clean diesel, flex fuel and hydrogen internal combustion engines. It also requires the critical research and development needed to expand alternative fuels infrastructure.
I'm actually working with www.drivecongress.com on the CAFE standards issue. Feel free to take a look at our site for more details. Thanks.
Thank you Chuck, great hearing from you, that was helpful info. I'll check out the site.
Take notes, folks, that was the PERFECT way to comment, create discussion, and educate on topics. Maybe I can learn something by going to the site he referred to.
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